Florence, SC-In the opening game of the Peach Belt-CVAC Challenge Friday, great pitching was showcased on both sides of the field, as the UNC-Pembroke Braves narrowly defeated CokerCollege 2-1.

Coker’s Jayson Clarke (1-1) pitched a great game for the Cobras, throwing only 84 pitches in eight innings pitched, while allowing just four hits and two runs. Unfortunately for the Cobras, Clarke’s counterpart from Pembroke was just as spectacular. The Braves starter Adam Hemrick (2-0) threw nine innings, allowing seven hits and only one run.

The Cobras were the first to strike, scoring a run in the first off an Eric Losten single that plated Brian Nally, who lead off the game with a double. That would be the only run Hamrick would allow, shutting down the Coker offensive threw the next eight innings.

In the third the Braves would tie the game off a Jorge Gonzalez homer over the left field fence. The game would remain tied at one until Pembroke’s Tripp Lockhart would hit a sacrifice fly to right center, scoring the eventual winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Coker played a well fought game, but in the end could not get the big hit needed to overcome the Braves, as they left six men on base throughout the game.

The Cobra’s Losten finished the game 2-for-4 with and RBI and a double, while Nally went 1-for 3 with a double and a run scored.

Pembroke’s Gonzalez was 1-for-3 with a HR, and RBI and a run scored and first baseman Barret Otto was also 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Coker takes on GeorgiaCollege and State in their second game of the Peach Belt-CVAC Challenge at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.